December 14, 201411 yr As many of you know, I relocated to Kalamazoo about 1.5 years ago, and in the process built a new shop etc.. Well I have now been requested to host a meet at my place. I have hosted other meets in NY, but in this group, when you host, you demonstrate. So the shop cleanup and rearrangement has begun. The group consistantly has 35-50 people at their functions, and of course you want it comfortable for all. So on top of panicking about the demo, I am worked up about making space for food tables et. al. I am comfortable in front of crowds, but many of the smiths in this group make my best efforts look feeble, these are some seriously talented people. Thank God I have enough time to do all the cleaning, as well as some practice forging. I have decided on a simple colonial candle holder demo, with some other anecdotes tossed in. I could use some witticisms from you guys, and of course, any of you who would like to come, it would be great to see you!
December 14, 201411 yr Greetings Mike, For sure you will see my smilleing face in the front row of your demo.. I will be watching every move and putting it in my note book . Got a new cell phone with a real good camera and video for the fine points.. You will do just fine and as always if I can help you know where to find me.. forge on and make beautiful things Jim
December 14, 201411 yr Once again I'm feeling my isolation. All the pics I've seen of your new shop are unbearably neat and clean. I would dearly LOVE to help put some cure on it. Witticisms? How are you at working sheet metal? Brass would be excellent but thin steel is fine. You could demo making a Kalakazoo. Thinking of humorous things to say at a demo ahead of time, let alone for someone else and an audience I'm not familiar with isn't clicking for me. I'm SOOOO much better at snappy reparte'. When demoing for smiths, experienced or not, I like demoing techniques. I try to choose projects with interesting or new techniques in mind. One technique that lots of folk can use help with is upsetting, from rivet and nail heading to upsetting the middle of a bar. I know my attention is riveted to demos containing upsetting. Frosty The Lucky.
December 14, 201411 yr Frosty........hope you heal up soon.....getting upset while at or giving demos is bad karma...... ^_^
December 14, 201411 yr hmm you are about 2 hours way I think I will have to attend, anything I can do to help ?
December 15, 201411 yr Author Frosty, that is kinda how I was thinking of going, thanks. Steve, cmon up! If you show up early I'll find something for you to do. Everybody brings grub for a share all.
December 15, 201411 yr That would make me a little over 3 hours away... Very tempting, and far enough out to pencil in on the calendar;-)
December 15, 201411 yr Author Shane, Just remember to introduce yourself to me, there should be quite the little crowd, I would love to meet you!
December 15, 201411 yr February??? "Hecklers will dunked in the slack tub and stood outside!"One thing to remember: new folks may profit a whole lot more from something simple than experts from something complex.
December 15, 201411 yr Greetings TP, The reason that I will be sitting in the front row is that I will be closer to the slack tube ( I will be the dunker ) .. Mike is a super person and an excellent smith as I said he will do just fine... Looking forward to see his shop and his demo... Besides it is only 2 days before my birthday ( 71 ) Forge on and make beautiful things Jim
December 17, 201411 yr Author Thanks Jim, let us hope it is worth your time, and happy birthday in case I forget.
December 18, 201411 yr Fund raiser for 8th grade trip to DC is that day, got to stay home and watch the little ones... maybe next year;-)
December 30, 201411 yr If I was closer, I would attend, just a bit too far (550 miles). One point of advise, have a finished product of what you are demoing. And if there are repetitive parts involved, have most of them done, and just demo one or two, especially if they are complicated or time consuming. No one wants to watch the same demo over and over.
January 2, 201511 yr Author Anvil man, my thinking exactly, I was out forging parts today, and guess what? I was looking at them and completely dissatisfied, so back to the drawing board, but I have time to make a few different kinds and decide what will work for the demo. I am having a blast, and one good side effect, my shop is better organised than ever!!
January 2, 201511 yr Greetings Mike, All that fun would include your new AJ rounding hammer .. Happy new year.. Forge on and make beautiful things Jim
January 14, 201511 yr Author The event starts at noon, but you are welcome to come a bit early. If you are a MABA member, the directions are in this months magazine.
January 14, 201511 yr My membership only went out last week. Don't know if I will receive a January newsletter.
January 14, 201511 yr Greetings Mike, is Friday OK... I am bringing the Frogman and AJ for support ... Nervous? Forge on and make beautiful things Jim
January 17, 201511 yr Author Jim, you and the boys are certainly welcome Friday, should I get some rooms ready or what? Feel free to give me a call, the number is in the members list, maybe we can go out to dinner and beers! And yes, I am a bit nervous, but excited mostly!! Can't wait!
January 17, 201511 yr Greetings Mike, Just kiddin... Frogman and AJ are coming up to my place after your demo for a few days.. Thanx for the super offer... As I said before you will do well.. Looking forward to seeing you and your shop.. Forge on and make beautiful things Jim
January 18, 201511 yr Mike, going to try and make this with Bobby, really depends on the work schedule for me and likely won't know till the Thursday/Friday before
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